ALAMEDA, Calif. — Raiders running back Darren McFadden missed practice Thursday and hasn’t set foot on the field since suffering a right mid-foot sprain Oct. 23 against the Chiefs on his second carry.

Michael Bush took over as the lead ball carrier and finished with 99 yards on 17 carries. It’s a role he will likely assume Sunday against the Broncos. The Raiders are hoping to get McFadden ready to play against the Chargers next Thursday night.

“It’s not the first time I’ve been down this road,” Bush said. “It’s bad Darren got hurt, and I wish he was out there playing with us, but the coach believes in me and I just have to keep this offense rolling.”

Ideally, the Raiders will have enough success on the ground to lessen the pressure on Carson Palmer, making his first start at quarterback after being acquired Oct. 18.

The Broncos are ranked 17th in the NFL in run defense, but only the Raiders in Week 1 (190 yards) and the Chargers in Week 5 (206 yards) have done any real damage.

“You know when you play the Raiders you’re going to play a physical, up-front team that’s going to pound it at you running the ball,” Broncos coach John Fox said. “That’s why they’re second in the league in rushing.”

Bradshaw has broken foot

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw has a stress fracture in his foot and his status for Sunday’s game against the Patriots is uncertain. That means the disgruntled Brandon Jacobs could carry more of the load.

“In the past he has played with the crack or whatever you want to call it, a stress crack in his foot,” coach Tom Coughlin said. “He has played that way in the past. I don’t know what the determination is just yet. We’ll have to wait and see.”

Bradshaw broke the bone in Sunday’s victory over the Dolphins.

Also, receiver Hakeem Nicks (hamstring) is questionable for this weekend.

Hillis expects to play

BEREA, Ohio — Browns starting running back Peyton Hillis made it through his first practice in a week without any trouble and intends to play Sunday at Houston.

Hillis has missed Cleveland’s past two games with a strained left hamstring he injured against Oakland on Oct. 16. On Thursday, Hillis practiced for the first time since Oct. 26 and was able to run and cut without any difficulty.

“I’m on pace to be healthy and play Sunday,” he said. “That’s what I’m looking forward to and that’s what I’m hoping to do.”

Kolb says toe much better

TEMPE, Ariz. — Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb said his injured right toe feels “a lot better” and neither he nor coach Ken Whisenhunt would rule him out of Sunday’s game against the Rams.

Still, Kolb did not practice for the second day in a row, leaving a strong possibility John Skelton will get the start.

Woodley limited in practice

PITTSBURGH — Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley remained limited in practice and his status for Sunday’s game against the Ravens is questionable.

Woodley, who is undergoing aggressive treatment for a strained hamstring, said he’ll be a “game-time decision.”

Texans’ Johnson could go

HOUSTON — Texans coach Gary Kubiak hasn’t ruled out Andre Johnson for Sunday’s game against the Browns after the receiver missed his second consecutive day of practice because of a hamstring injury.

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